We can all remember when Joe Gibbs Racing left The crew chiefs are all important when it comes to Nascar racing. This one single factor can be the difference between a win and a loss. If the Nascar racing drivers are treated like celebrities, then the crew chiefs are nothing less.
In the Nascar racing business The crew chiefs are the ones who are responsible for everything from the construction of the chassis to split-second second ‘on-track’ decisions.
Chad Knaus for the No.48 team has to be named the best Nascar Crew chief around these days as he has all the elements that make a winning Nascar crew chief. Chad Knaus’ success culminated in the 2004 when the No.48 team went on to win eight races, one pole, 20 top fives, and 23 top tens in a season. Chad’s success in Nascar continued the following year as the team went into the final race that season with a shot at the championship for the second time.
The team ended up finishing fifth in the standings with a total of four wins, one pole, thirteen top fives and 22 top tens.
Knaus has managed very decent credentials all through his Nascar career as a crew chief. It’s solely a matter of time before Knaus and the No.48 race their way up to the top in Nascar’s elite series.
Greg Zipadelli crew chief for Tony Stewart is another great crew chief star. Tony’s rise to success and stardom wasn’t achieved alone – Greg was behind him all the time, providing him with the proper tools (both metaphorically and literally). Greg took Tony’s racing career from the rookie of year of the year award back in 1999 to his two Nascar sprint cup series championships and a total of 32 wins and 10 poles over the nine years.
Greg Zipadelli’s job description entails many kinds of responsibilities – from human resource to full time mechanic to chief visionary and coach. His job also entails coming up with plans as to what needs to be done for the next race and to motivate and keep the team united and happy.
To quote Tony Stewart, “Zippy cares about me as a person and not as a piece of equipment. Having that kind of support from that kind of a person is what gets you through the tough times. And when you do have success, that’s what makes it more gratifying.”
Bootie Barker III is another popular Nascar crew chief that needs to be mentioned among the best. He is the crew chief for Scott Riggs - the No. 66 car. Bootie has previously worked for Jeff Green’s Chevrolet, Ashton Lewis, Bill Davis racing and Jasper Motorsports. Last month Michael Waltrip racing announced Barker as the crew chief for the Toyota No.55 which will be driven by Michael Waltrip in next years Sprint Cup series.
Each Nascar fan will have his own opinion as to who the finest crew chief is and no doubt all of Nascar’s racing staff, including the crew chiefs, are masters at the trade – Zippy, Bootie, Knaus, Reiser, Letarte, Steve LeTarte are all exceptional when it comes to the racing business. Almost all of them have been brought up around cars and racing seems to be in their blood. The best advice for all Nascar racing fans has always been to stick with your favorite and back him up through all the tight curves – for me its Greg Zipadelli. Let the races begin.
